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verb

indited

in-DY-tid

Indited (verb) means past tense and past participle of indite: to compose or write down something such as a letter, poem or speech. Example: “He indited a long letter of apology and then burned it.”

verb
1
archaic or literary Past tense and past participle of indite: to compose or write down something such as a letter, poem or speech.
"He indited a long letter of apology and then burned it."
"The verses were indited in a careful, sloping hand."

How to use indited

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn old-fashioned word meaning wrote or composed.

When to use it

Archaic and literary; appears mainly in older religious and poetic English.

Memory tip

If a court is involved, the word you need is indicted, not indited.

Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
indicted incited indicated
Common pairings
indited a letter indited these lines
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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He _____ a long letter of apology and then burned it.

Etymology

From Latin indictare, meaning to declare or proclaim, which reached English through Old French enditer. The same root later produced the legal word indict.

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for indited

See all rhymes for indited →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between indited and indicted?

Indited means wrote or composed and is archaic. Indicted, pronounced in-DY-tid as well, means formally charged with a crime. They sound identical, which is exactly why the confusion arises, and indicted is the word almost everyone actually wants.

Is indited still used today?

Very rarely, and only for deliberate literary effect or in older texts such as the Book of Common Prayer and the King James Bible. In modern writing, use wrote or composed.

How is indited pronounced?

In-DY-tid, with a long i in the stressed syllable, exactly like indicted.

What is the meaning of indited?

"indited" (verb) means past tense and past participle of indite: to compose or write down something such as a letter, poem or speech.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from FreeDict original editorial